Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Congratulations to Deborah Stewart from Teach Preschool. Her very informative facebook page has now 20,000 “likes”. You are such an inspiration!

To help Deborah celebrate we are posting The ABC of Preschool.

C for Creativity

Creativityis the ability to make something unique, to envision things that don’t exist and to make common things special. Creativity is the ability to look at everyday items in new ways. Creativity is about thinking, exploring, discovering and imagining.

Ways to Encourage Creativity through Art

1. Give emphasis to the process rather than the product.

2. Embrace unusual ideas from children.

3. Provide a classroom environment that allows the young to play and explore without constant adult interference.

4. Allow time to explore.

Three Month Project

5. Create an art center where children can freely discover materials on their own.

6. Provide a special area where children can explore clay.

7. Display creative works but avoid evaluations.

8. Promote respect for the unusual.

9. Be open to live with a sense of curiosity.

10. Encourage creative problem solving in all parts of the curriculum.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

There are two ways that you can get ingredients to make fake polymer snow. You can purchase insta snow at craft stores or you can collect sodium polyacrylate from disposable diapers.

This is one of the coolest products I’ve seen. All you need to do is add water to the powder and immediately make slushy snow. Keep adding water until you have the desired amount of wetness. The gel will not dissolve; the children can decide how mushy they want their snow to be. It will last for weeks.

Insta snow is safe to handle, non-toxic and guaranteed to amaze children. I have been fascinated with insta snow ever since I first saw a Steve Spangler's workshop, ten years ago!

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About Me

Imagination, Dreams and Adventures,
important ingredients needed for meaningful learning.
My Pre-school curriculum and environment is deeply inspired by The Reggio Approach to Early Childhood Education.
By encouraging children to explore their natural world, ask questions and PLAY in a enriching fun and loving environment, it is my hope that they will receive a foundation for learning.